State Department Has Learned Nothing From the Spitzer Debacle
On a purely political note, what is the lesson learned from the Spitzer scandal/debacle? The lesson learned is if you are going to go after somebody for alleged crimes or accuse them of immoral, and inhumane behavior, you’d better be damned sure that your own nose is clean and that you don’t have any of the same skeletons in your closet.
Spitzer’s once claim to fame was being the “Elliot Ness” of Wall Street. He took on corruption and prostitution rings within New York with his own hard nosed style. It seemed to be working for him until it backfired. In a twist of irony at it’s harshest peak, the same crimes he was fighting proved to be his downfall.
In another twist of irony, the State Department today released its annual report on human rights. Some of the names are familiar as they seem to be regulars on the list, Pakistan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Sudan, China, Nepal, Syria and Zimbabwe, etc. etc. But some notable names have been added, and one very surprising one has been removed, as well as one that has been omitted.
Suprisingly, China was left off the list this year! I wonder why? China has always had a questionable human rights record, and seemed to always be near the top of previous years’ lists. So what happened to get them off the list this year? The upcoming Olympics? Maybe. Or maybe it is because of China’s involvement in getting North Korea to de-nuclearize. Either way, they are not on the list, but it still lists their record as being “poor.” Not poor enough to make the list mind you, but poor just the same!
Russia has been added to the list, accusing the government of corruption and electoral abuses. I didn’t know Diebold electronic voting equipment was used in Russia! See, you learn something new everyday! As far as the corruption charge goes, show me a government anywhere in the world that is not corrupt in one form or another.
“Security forces reportedly engaged in killings, torture, abuse, violence and other brutal or humiliating treatment, often with impunity,” said the report of Russia.
It’s ironic how the US State Department will call out another country’s human rights violations, citing torture, abuse, violence and other brutal or humiliating treatment, but refuse to look into its own backyard, stating only that it is “mindful” of world criticism.
The report also stated that, “countries in which power was concentrated in the hands of unaccountable rulers remained the world’s most systematic human rights violators.” I’m resisting the temptation to refer to the adage of “isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black” comparison so I won’t. But I’ll just ask one question. When was the last time President Bush was held accountable for anything during his Presidency?
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